Knapp: 49ers must avoid giving Saints extra possessions

Two of Jim Harbaugh’s messages to his heavily neophyte playoff team were revealed this week, and they seem, at least superficially, to conflict with each other.

No. 1, as originally described by 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree, is, “Don’t overcook it.” In other words, as the coach explained Thursday, don’t put more heat on yourselves in the postseason. Stay loose and play the way you have all year.

No. 2, according to center Jonathan Goodwin, referenced Harbaugh’s own playing career and emphasized the dizzying altitude the 49ers have reached. Sixteen years ago this month, Harbaugh quarterbacked the Indianapolis Colts to the AFC title game and missed reaching the Super Bowl when a Hail Mary pass bounced in and out of a receiver’s grasp.

“He walked off kind of thinking, ‘We’ll be back,’ and it never happened again,” Goodwin said. “So he did tell us when you get these opportunities, to take full advantage of them.”

If the unusually cheerful animation of the locker room on Thursday was any indication, the 49ers have struck the desired balance between heightened senses and steady professionalism. They’ll need it more than most teams would, and not just because of their high percentage of inexperienced playoff participants.

The 49ers’ best asset is also one that becomes especially vulnerable to increased fervor. All season, they knew how to keep their eyes and hands on the ball. The offense turned it over just 10 times, tying the NFL record, and the defense took it away 38 times.

Over the last five years, six other NFL offenses have committed 15 turnovers or fewer in the regular season and advanced to the playoffs. Only one of those teams has won a postseason game – the 2007 Patriots, who lost in the Super Bowl.

Most of the teams lost their admirable grip when they reached the playoffs. Kansas City gave up the ball just 14 times in the 2010 regular season, and then committed five turnovers in its home playoff loss to Baltimore. In 2008, Miami had 13 turnovers in its first 16 games, and five in its single postseason outing.

Case of playoff jitters?

The superior defenses that survive the regular season could be responsible, but playoff jitters could be just as culpable. Harbaugh was asked whether the team had emphasized ball security this week.

“We haven’t overcooked that part of it, no,” the coach said and then, just as he was about to take another question, a big grin crossed his face. “There’ve been no threats of bodily harm … Is that what you’re asking?”

Actually, no one has been able to explain precisely how the new coaching staff turned the relatively slippery-fingered team of 2010 into the sure-handed one of 2011. Alex Smith has said the coaches are consistently detail-oriented. Several other players have attributed much of the turnaround to the quarterback’s newly acquired habit of not forcing plays.

But that only explains the minimized interceptions and the fact that Smith surrendered only two fumbles. The rest of the team has fumbled away only three possessions all year, despite running the ball vigorously.

An elusive answer

“I really don’t know,” injured tight end Delanie Walker said. “They make a big deal about keeping the ball high and making sure when you’re in traffic to cover it up. That could be the difference, but I could say that every year. Players always hear that, and we always know how important ball security is.”

Justin Peelle, who played for the Falcons a year ago, said he couldn’t pinpoint the reason, but in practice he can’t help noticing constant pleas from running backs coach Tom Rathman.

“Every time somebody has the ball, he yells ‘Squeeze it,’ and he’s got that distinctive voice, so it’s pretty funny,” Peelle said. “But other than that, it’s just something everyone’s really conscious of.”

If the players were trying to protect trade secrets, they all hid their intentions well. Goodwin tried hard to explain the reasons for the conscientious ballhandling and came up with nothing.

“It’s a great question,” he said, shaking his head, “but I’m not sure.”

On Saturday, committing a turnover against the Saints, and handing their carnivorous offense an extra possession, would be devastating. Committing two would be fatal. The 49ers wouldn’t be overcooking then. They’d be scorching themselves.